Travel case for cosmetics

ABSTRACT

A travel case for liquid cosmetics, medications and the like includes an interior pocket with a separate transparent plastic pouch for the liquid materials such as cosmetics. Access to the interior of the bag may be effected through a principal access opening in the top of the bag. Access to the interior pocket which holds the pouch may also be effected through an auxiliary opening in the side wall of the bag. The access opening to the pocket within the bag as well as to the interior of the bag are all oriented in the same direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a principal aspect the present invention relates to a travel case and, more particularly, to a travel case for cosmetics.

Travelers today, particularly those who travel via airlines, are confronted with the requirement to submit to an inspection protocol. In addition, there are various rules with respect to items and materials which travelers may carry onto commercial aircraft. For example, liquids in general are prohibited; however, cosmetic liquids and other liquids in an amount of three ounces or less may be collected in a bag no greater than one quart for inspection by the appropriate authorities. The pouches which are subjected to an inspection, however, must be made from a transparent material, typically a transparent plastic such as transparent polyvinylchloride. Additionally, the liquid containers maintained within the pouch must be easily accessible.

Arranging for and traveling with cosmetics or medications, for example, thus becomes a challenging circumstance. Many passengers forego the opportunity to go through the inspection process with their cosmetics or medications. Rather, they pack such items in the checked luggage. Nonetheless, many people desire the opportunity to have easy access to their cosmetics or medications for use during a flight or immediately thereafter. Thus, there has developed a need for a travel case, particularly for cosmetics and medications when traveling via a commercial airline.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention comprises a travel case for cosmetics, mediations or the like which is comprised of a soft sided bag. The soft sided bag includes a main access opening to the interior of the bag. A partition wall or separation wall is incorporated within the interior of the bag. An opening or pocket formed by the separation wall is aligned with the access opening to the interior of the bag. Additionally, the separation wall in combination with a partially removable flap forming a side wall of the bag or case provides an alternative way to obtain access to the interior of the bag. The pocket formed by the side wall flap and the internal separation wall receives a transparent plastic pouch having a capacity of one quart or less. The pouch may further include an array or collection of additional containers for liquid items such as cosmetics or medication. With the travel case for cosmetics as described, it is possible to have ease of access to the interior of the bag for removal of the plastic pouch and separate inspection thereof. The bag itself, however, may remain closed with the remaining contents of the bag undisturbed even though the transparent plastic pouch has been removed for purposes of inspection at an airline inspection station.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved travel case for cosmetics which includes a transparent plastic container or pouch having a capacity of about one quart or less.

It is another object of the invention to provide a travel case for cosmetics having a transparent pouch which is easily removable or replaceable within the bag or case without disturbing the remaining contents of the case.

A further object of the invention is to provide a travel case for cosmetics which is rugged and which will safely contain and maintain cosmetic items, medications and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a travel case for cosmetics which is a soft sided bag including multiple access openings to the interior of the bag with one of those openings comprising a means for access to a transparent plastic container.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a travel case for cosmetics employing the features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the case or bag of FIG. 1 depicting a one quart clear plastic pouch for the case;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the bag or case of FIG. 2 wherein the clear pouch has been placed within the case;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the bag or case of FIG. 1 opened to reveal the interior of the bag or case; and

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the bag or case of FIG. 4 with the clear pouch inserted therein.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, the travel case comprises a soft sided bag 10 which includes various panels forming the bag. In the embodiment depicted, the bag is comprised of the fabric material and includes a bottom panel 12, a back or opposite side panel 14, a first or front side panel 16 and a side panel 18 which joins to the back side panel 14, front side panel 16 and bottom panel 12 to form a bag enclosure. Handle 20 is affixed to the seam line joining the side panel 18 to the back panel 14.

The bag 10 further includes a zippered opening 24 which is defined or positioned in the sides and top of the bag 10 for ease of access to the interior contents of the bag 10. Thus, a zipper 26 may be actuated for access to the interior of the bag 10. Within the interior of the bag 10 there is positioned a clear plastic separation wall 30 which, in the embodiment depicted, extends upwardly from the bottom panel 12 and is connected along lateral sides 18 along a seam section 32 and a second seam section 34. In this manner, the front panel 16 and separation wall 30 define a pocket within the interior of the bag 10 wherein the pocket includes an upper or top side opening 36 which is oriented in the same manner; namely, extending upwardly as the top of access opening 24 to the interior of the bag 10. Opening 36 includes a zipper closure mechanism 37.

The bag 10 further includes, incorporated in the front panel 16, a zippered access opening 40 which may be opened by actuation of a zipper 42 for access to the interior of the bag and in particular for access to the pocket formed by the wall 30 and the panel 18. It is to be noted that the access opening 40 is also oriented in the same direction as the access opening 36 for the pocket and the top of access opening 24 for the bag 10. Further, the zippered opening 40 in the flap 16 may be arranged and is preferably arranged so that it extends above the top side or margin 44 of the wall 30. In the embodiment depicted, the access opening 40 forms an arcuate opening which enables reaching into the interior of the bag. The access opening 40 may, however, be positioned more closely in alignment with the top side margin 44 of the separation wall 30.

Positioned within the pocket formed by the separation wall 30 and front panel 16 is a one quart transparent, plastic pouch 50. The pouch 50 is a pouch which includes a zippered opening 52 and further includes various bottles 54 or other types of containers made of materials other than glass which are fitted to within the interior of the pouch 50.

During inspection of the items carried by a passenger which is utilizing a travel case of the type disclosed, the flap 16 may be easily opened by actuation of the zipper 42. The contents of the pocket formed by the separation wall 30; namely, the pouch 50 may then be easily removed and separately inspected as required by the airline inspection authorities. Thus, access through the main opening 24 to the interior of the bag is not required and the contents of the bag remain undisturbed whereas the contents of the pouch 50 which are liquid in nature can be easily inspected without great distress to the traveling individual.

Variations of the invention may be employed. For example, multiple zippered openings to the interior of the bag and in particular to the formed pocket may be provided. The shape and configuration of the bag itself may be varied. Thus, while there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof. 

1. A travel case for cosmetics, medications and the like comprising in combination: a soft sided bag including a first side wall, an opposite side wall, a bottom wall and a lateral side wall joining the first and opposite side walls, an interior compartment, a top access opening to the interior compartment, said top access opening including a closure mechanism, a separation wall within the interior compartment forming a storage pocket in combination with the side wall of the bag, said pocket having a pocket access opening within the bag generally oriented with the top access opening; said side wall for the bag including a side wall panel with an access opening generally oriented with the top access opening; and a removable pouch fabricated from a transparent plastic material maintainable within the pocket in the bag, whereby the pouch may include liquid containers and is removable from the bag for inspection through the side wall panel access opening as well as through the top access opening from the interior of the case.
 2. The case of claim 1 wherein the pouch is substantially a one quart pouch.
 3. The case of claim 1 wherein the pouch includes a collection of containers for liquids, each container having a screw top thereon.
 4. The case of claim 1 wherein the storage pocket includes a zipper pocket access opening mechanism for closing the pocket access opening.
 5. The case of claim 1 wherein the pocket comprises a transparent wall. 